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Being an African - American woman with naturally thick and course hair makes it tough to maintain great hair health. During the 80's going to a Jeri curl, headed straight into 2000 with the hopes of a better way to maintain great hair while undergoing chemical treatments for hair straightening. So how can an African-American woman or any woman who has thick, course, hard to manage and often dry hair gain hair health? Better you, how can you keep great hair health well after years of damage has been done? It's really as easy as one, two three believe it or not.

First Step: Knowing what damages your hair & creating a new avenue to achieve a clear slate!

Ladies, this does not mean you have to necessarily cut off all your hair. What you want to do is go to a hair salon and explain to the stylist the problem that you are going through. Yes it may be more expensive than the simple box perms, 99 cent shampoos & do it yourself home care systems, but remember, it is your hair and extreme dryness can lead to massive hair loss and permanent damage to the hair follicles itself.

Make sure when you go, you bring a list of all the hair care products you've used in the past & present, & the stylist will help in beginning to repair the damage done.

Step 2: When you and your stylist work out what haircare products works best on your hair, follow the guidelines & stick with it!

Being cheap and buying the less expensive products because you're broke will only reverse the healing process and return your hair back to the dry state it was in. ( Make sure to stick to the directions on the bottle. Sometimes a small amount is doing more good than you may think.) After all if you could maintain great hair health alone, you would have by now!

Step 3: Make sure your ends stay clipped as often as recommended!

Some people get their ends clipped every three weeks, some people every other month & some people never. If you never get your ends clipped, the split, dry & damaged ends make their way up to your scalp; trust me, it's not a pretty sight! SO just make sure to keep your ends clipped & your hair well enriched.

Here are a few products that I've used personally and had great results with:

Phyto products (go to www.phyto.com and it helps to find the perfect combination tailored toward your haircare needs)(If you really can't afford this product, Nexxus, Joico, Mizani,Redken, Optimum & Soft & Beautiful have product lines that actually help reduce stressed/dry hair as well.)

Phyto specific line for African American hair care - Phyto works well on our hair, but for severe trauma or to avoid having severe trauma, Use the phyto specific Shea Butter styling creme. It's not really a creme, but you don't need much, just a quarter sized amount. (For a styling aide that's somewhat affordable & helps with keeping a good moisture balance, Protectiv, Doogrow, Soft & Beautiful, & Optimum has nice styling aides, some of which can be inter changeable.)

Another thing is to make sure to use Ionic dryers on the hair. Whether you're brushing or using a hand held dryer, use Ionic! Ionic hair dryers reduce drying time on the hair's shaft & closes the follicles so it reduces stress & damage done to the hair.

Lastly, ceramic flat irons/curling irons lock in shine, while reducing damage done by using hot irons.

Disclaimer: If your hair is above and beyond damaged to the point where it is starting to fall out, you should go see a doctor or hair stylist and explain to him or her what is going on with your head! He or she will refer you to someone who can make sure the problem stops completely or correct the problem themselves.

Learn more about this author, Courtnye Heidleburg.
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